San Diego Gulls 7, Bakersfield Condors 3
The San Diego Gulls clinched a 2025-26 Calder Cup Playoff berth with a decisive 7-3 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Dignity Health Center. With the Tucson Roadrunners falling to the Colorado Eagles, the Gulls’ win officially locks them into the postseason for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
San Diego head coach Matt McIlvane made history as he led the team to its first playoff appearance of his tenure. “We went into this year, and I think what we’ve kept saying is, we’re a group of winners with something to prove,” McIlvane said. “Earning the opportunity to play in the playoffs is a big step for everybody.”
Damian Clara made his first career AHL start and earned his first win, turning aside 36 of 39 shots. The 21-year-old goaltender was drafted 60th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2023 and went 17-15-0 in 33 SHL games with Brynas this season.
The Gulls opened the scoring for the second straight night with Yegor Sidorov breaking a 14-game goal drought. Sidorov tallied his 15th goal and 29th point of the season. Jan Mysak and Roland McKeown provided the assists on the play.
San Diego dominated the second period with four goals, just one shy of their single-period season high. Matthew Phillips opened the frame with a power-play goal, extending his point streak to four games with 3-3=6 points. Phillips became the second Gull to reach 50 points this season, with 15 goals and 35 assists.
Nathan Gaucher followed with his sixth goal in four games, reaching 15-14=29 on the season. Justin Bailey scored his 24th goal of the year and his ninth against Bakersfield in the series, tying for the AHL lead in game-winning goals with nine.
Nico Myatovic added his second goal of the night to make it 5-2. Tristan Luneau and Stian Solberg each scored late empty-net goals to cap off the scoring.
Captain Ryan Carpenter praised the team’s effort. “We were happy with our first. We thought we could’ve had a couple bounces where we maybe could have had a lead. We’re confident group. We were a lot happier the way we responded compared to the night before.”
Matt Basgall recorded his first career AHL point with an assist on Myatovic’s goal. Judd Caulfield and Sasha Pastujov each added two and one assists respectively.
The Gulls will look to continue their momentum as they prepare for the playoffs. Their next game remains to be announced, but the focus now shifts to the Calder Cup postseason.
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